I'M Thinking About Buying A Gun For Home Security

[chrisinth]

If the situation gets to the point where you need to use a firearm, then your security system is not performing as it should. Prevention rather than cure.

I do understand (or rather, can imagine) your predicament. As somebody mentioned earlier, to learn the basics of handling a firearm takes about 15 minutes. For proficiency in the use of that weapon takes a lot longer. And to be able to point and shoot at another human is something else again; some people can never do it and some live with the nightmare for the rest of their lives.

With the above statement said, and before the macho-men start rubbishing it this is true and can only be fully understood by somebody who has been in these situations. Man's ego says no problem, until you are faced with that situation. As you stated in the OP, you have spent a very short time on a range and your wife (who will be in this position when you are away) has never fired one.

Installing an alarm system would be No. 1 on my list. As much light and noise as possible as these are the main two deterents an intruder doesn't like (having a gun pointed at them is obiously another one ). A lot of people have suggested building a security wall with razor wire/electrified gridding, etc. OK, good idea, but that turns your house into a prison (IMHO) and i am imagining that the scenery was part of building where you are? Still, priorities.

Dogs are a good idea as well, but one word of caution. If you are going to get dogs trained for security, be very careful with these and your family. I would not imagine you would be getting them as pups (as there is no deterent there at a young age) so they will be young dogs that have not grown up with yourself or your family, therefore there will be initially no bond between yourself or the animals (these are not going to be poodles or "lapdogs") and if they are aggressive, they can easily turn.

Have you thought of employing a Yam (security guard)? Someone local who knows who is who, perhaps ex-army or ex-police? This to me would be the best solution, if you can get a good one! And before everyone starts slating them off, there are some excellent ex-service people out there; it is just finding them.

Anyway, whatever way you go, best of luck and I really hope you are over-reacting, but you seem to be treating this properly looking at the worst case scenario.

[Oli23]

1. Dogs: They killed the dogs with poisoned food

2. Guns: They have guns too and could be fatal for your family if you can't use it first

I think the alarm system is the best choice, or you can move to a resident area with some secuiryt to reduce the risks. The killing, thiefs keep increasing in Thailand as the poor or low class people doesn't have their parts of the cake, rich get richer, governors and the police a biggest stomach.

Just be carefull and try to dont show that you have a lot of money, even you dont have that much

[Lammbock]

Me and the wife bought a few rai on the River Kwai

You mean you pay for it and it is in your Wife's name on the papers

Yes! Buy a gun because you will need it when the Misses try to kick you out !!!!!

[WebBangkok]

I love guns, I want mine incase of a zombie apocalypse

FPS Russia on youtube is someone who I like watching reguarly

Wouldnt mind me one of these

I just need to practice my Russian accent

[WebBangkok]

But idiots like these make gun owners look bad, what a fcking moron

[Trembly]

Foreign residents who want to purchase a gun must fulfill several requirements.

"If you are living here in Thailand, and you want to buy a gun, the first thing you need to do is get your 10 fingers printed, and have a check for your criminal record," Polpatr says.

"If your record is clear, you can fill out the forms which ask about your personal information, where you live, how much money you own, and what you do for a living. You would need a bank statement and also your work permit, a house registration and an ID."

Some requirements appear to stop impoverished people -- or anyone seeking revenge - . . .

http://www.cnngo.com...thailand-009893

[Cobalt60]

I prefer a semi or pump action shotgun, I have a Beretta, not easy for a child to chamber one up and not necessarily fatal injuries from a distance. Aim is not such an issue when the adrenaline is pumping.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect App

You keep a pump-action shotgun in the house in the UK ? I thought UK gun laws were tougher than that

The laws were changed after the Hungerford massacre, you can still own a semi auto or pump as long as its capacity is restricted. I own a Beretta which is a semi auto.

[Beetlejuice]

Is the OP legally entitled to own the land that he is prepared to shoot someone in order to protect it?

What the OP should do is discuss the situation with the village heads and local police to seek their advice. This is what we did and found the advice very informative and the police most helpful. The police also gave us a direct phone number to call them if in the event of an emergency.

We did have to produce our paperwork and inform the police exactly how we obtained and how the land is used, but this was no problem for us, because no laws have been contravened.

For those who decide to take the law into their own hands and prepared to use deadly force, good luck and to all who sail in her.

[Livinginexile]

Thank you all for the advice and shared experience regarding home security.

I like the post about "layered security" fence - proximity lights - dogs - gun.

By the time any intruder gets through the first three I asume it's enough time to prepare the final security.

To answer the few posters that advised to just "move" or asked "why did you move to an unsafe area".

We bought prime river front land not far out of Kanchanaburi city, absolutely stunning location with resorts located from accross the road to within 1 kilometer of our land. There has been a crime wave over the past year in our area, some of our neighbours are blaming some yaba dealers that have started operating locally and a lot of teenage gangs on motorbikes hooning around the area.

Anyway, moving is not an option, we love it here and plan to stay.

Thanks again everyone, some very usefull advice.

[Beetlejuice]

Thank you all for the advice and shared experience regarding home security.

I like the post about "layered security" fence - proximity lights - dogs - gun.

By the time any intruder gets through the first three I asume it's enough time to prepare the final security.

To answer the few posters that advised to just "move" or asked "why did you move to an unsafe area".

We bought prime river front land not far out of Kanchanaburi city, absolutely stunning location with resorts located from accross the road to within 1 kilometer of our land. There has been a crime wave over the past year in our area, some of our neighbours are blaming some yaba dealers that have started operating locally and a lot of teenage gangs on motorbikes hooning around the area.

Anyway, moving is not an option, we love it here and plan to stay.

Thanks again everyone, some very usefull advice.

Layered security" fence - proximity lights – dogs and a gun!? WOW, sounds like something from a POW camp or the Missing in Action movie. What appears to be missing here are the guard towers and guards. What exactly are you guarding there, Americas gold reserves?

Believe this or not, even in Thailand there are laws imposed to protect people from being torn apart by dogs and shot with guns. What would happen for example if a child or young person even if trespassing was to come to grievous harm or critically injured on your wife’s property, than this would result in you being in a whole load of trouble.

Anyone that legally owns land and real estate and has not bent the laws would have no problems in seeking security advice from the police. In cases like these, approaching the police first with your concerns is the expected and common sense first course of action, becoming your own self appointed defender of justice and vigilante is not acceptable and you would be required to justify any actions you take in a court of law, especially if the said property owner has no documentation to clarify the land ownership or any businesses run on it.

To others reading these posts, suggestions to obtain attack dogs and guns is bad advice and for those who are not prepared to listen, than whatever you do in Thailand, you do at your own risks and discretion.

[pnustedt]

I have a revolver which I use for protection when I am staying on our farm where we (my wife and I) run a business which can involve handling fairly large sums of cash. Our farm house was broken into this week and quite a lot of property stolen. Fortunately the gun was not there at the time. The police subsequently did their investigations and queried our protection facilities - I showed them the gun. They told me that I should carry it at all times in the area and not leave it in the house. I was trained to use the weapon by the police at their shooting range.

Crime is growing exponentially in the villages in Isaan - mostly fuelled by the craving for drugs. Of course dogs and security devices are the first deterrent but, as a last resort in a desparate situation, I would use the gun to protect myself and wife and have used it to deter intruders.

If someone is killed as a result of their being a threat to you on your property there may be a financial claim from their dependants, but the repurcussions will be settled with money unless there are mitigating circumstances.

[h90]

Thank you all for the advice and shared experience regarding home security.

I like the post about "layered security" fence - proximity lights - dogs - gun.

By the time any intruder gets through the first three I asume it's enough time to prepare the final security.

To answer the few posters that advised to just "move" or asked "why did you move to an unsafe area".

We bought prime river front land not far out of Kanchanaburi city, absolutely stunning location with resorts located from accross the road to within 1 kilometer of our land. There has been a crime wave over the past year in our area, some of our neighbours are blaming some yaba dealers that have started operating locally and a lot of teenage gangs on motorbikes hooning around the area.

Anyway, moving is not an option, we love it here and plan to stay.

Thanks again everyone, some very usefull advice.

Layered security" fence - proximity lights – dogs and a gun!? WOW, sounds like something from a POW camp or the Missing in Action movie. What appears to be missing here are the guard towers and guards. What exactly are you guarding there, Americas gold reserves?

Believe this or not, even in Thailand there are laws imposed to protect people from being torn apart by dogs and shot with guns. What would happen for example if a child or young person even if trespassing was to come to grievous harm or critically injured on your wife’s property, than this would result in you being in a whole load of trouble.

Anyone that legally owns land and real estate and has not bent the laws would have no problems in seeking security advice from the police. In cases like these, approaching the police first with your concerns is the expected and common sense first course of action, becoming your own self appointed defender of justice and vigilante is not acceptable and you would be required to justify any actions you take in a court of law, especially if the said property owner has no documentation to clarify the land ownership or any businesses run on it.

To others reading these posts, suggestions to obtain attack dogs and guns is bad advice and for those who are not prepared to listen, than whatever you do in Thailand, you do at your own risks and discretion.

When we had the floods, I had stick with a special knife on top. If someone comes over the walls that protect us from water I would have rammed it into him. Trust the police is nice, but if you were wrong it is too late. And the worst that can happen is that you have to go 20 times to court, pay 100.000 for a lawer and at the end another 100.000.

That option sounds a lot better than being killed from a drug addict who is angry because he can't find money in my house.

[WebBangkok]

Well when we had the floods, we had guys shooting fish. So I am glad I had a gun. As some looting was happening and I have one of the nicest houses on the street. I rather take my chances being armed with a gun then going out and taking them on with a chopstick.

Some people frown on it. But at least I know I will have some chance if someone wanted to rob me.

[rixalex]

Well when we had the floods, we had guys shooting fish. So I am glad I had a gun. As some looting was happening and I have one of the nicest houses on the street. I rather take my chances being armed with a gun then going out and taking them on with a chopstick.

Some people frown on it. But at least I know I will have some chance if someone wanted to rob me.

Each to their own, but if it is robbing we are talking about, nothing in my house i would consider worthy of killing a person over. I'll take the anger of being robbed than the guilt of killing a father over a stereo, even if the father is a thieving bastard.

Sometimes i think driven on by the macho thing of protecting one's castle, people fail to think about what it is to have someone's life on their conscience. The fact that the life is that of a criminal, might not remove the feeling of guilt in the way you imagine it would.

[giddyup]

Well when we had the floods, we had guys shooting fish. So I am glad I had a gun. As some looting was happening and I have one of the nicest houses on the street. I rather take my chances being armed with a gun then going out and taking them on with a chopstick.

Some people frown on it. But at least I know I will have some chance if someone wanted to rob me.

Each to their own, but if it is robbing we are talking about, nothing in my house i would consider worthy of killing a person over. I'll take the anger of being robbed than the guilt of killing a father over a stereo, even if the father is a thieving bastard.

Sometimes i think driven on by the macho thing of protecting one's castle, people fail to think about what it is to have someone's life on their conscience. The fact that the life is that of a criminal, might not remove the feeling of guilt in the way you imagine it would.

You are assuming the thief is some kind of gentleman robber. He may not be satisfied with a stereo but want cash, and if you can't provide it instantly he may in frustration jam a knife into your neck. People have been killed in home style invasions here for peanuts.

[rixalex]

Well when we had the floods, we had guys shooting fish. So I am glad I had a gun. As some looting was happening and I have one of the nicest houses on the street. I rather take my chances being armed with a gun then going out and taking them on with a chopstick.

Some people frown on it. But at least I know I will have some chance if someone wanted to rob me.

Each to their own, but if it is robbing we are talking about, nothing in my house i would consider worthy of killing a person over. I'll take the anger of being robbed than the guilt of killing a father over a stereo, even if the father is a thieving bastard.

Sometimes i think driven on by the macho thing of protecting one's castle, people fail to think about what it is to have someone's life on their conscience. The fact that the life is that of a criminal, might not remove the feeling of guilt in the way you imagine it would.

You are assuming the thief is some kind of gentleman robber. He may not be satisfied with a stereo but want cash, and if you can't provide it instantly he may in frustration jam a knife into your neck. People have been killed in home style invasions here for peanuts.

Yes i appreciate there is that risk, but i think in the vast majority of cases of people being attacked, it results from people trying to defend their property. A natural and reasonable response, but one that can lead to problems like this. You are better of fleeing out the window, or locking yourself in the bathroom. But nobody wants to do that for fear of feeling like a coward. Back to the macho thing.

[Beetlejuice]

When we had the floods, I had stick with a special knife on top. If someone comes over the walls that protect us from water I would have rammed it into him. Trust the police is nice, but if you were wrong it is too late. And the worst that can happen is that you have to go 20 times to court, pay 100.000 for a lawer and at the end another 100.000.

That option sounds a lot better than being killed from a drug addict who is angry because he can't find money in my house.

From my experiences, people like you are mostly big talk. Meet loads like you that hang about bars in the hope to draw attention to themselves. In reality you would probably <deleted> your pants even at the site of someone yielding a knife at you or if the big bad nasty policeman came to arrest you.

I am sure that the majority (including myself) of law abiding ex-pats who have learned to live at peace in Thailand and with their Thai neighbors, do not want to see anti social, knife yealding, gun toting, aggressive farangs that conduct dubious land and business activities anywhere near them.

Sooner or later the actions and exploits of these people will catch up with them. I’ve witnessed the best of them come and go over the years and you can trust me on that one, because with attitudes like that, they simply don`t last here.

[h90]

Well when we had the floods, we had guys shooting fish. So I am glad I had a gun. As some looting was happening and I have one of the nicest houses on the street. I rather take my chances being armed with a gun then going out and taking them on with a chopstick.

Some people frown on it. But at least I know I will have some chance if someone wanted to rob me.

Well if you can ram the chopstick in his eye it wold also work.....but holding the shotgun in the approx. direction might be easier....

Half of my staff has illegal guns....But the problem on an illegal gun is.....that it is illegal....

[giddyup]

Well when we had the floods, we had guys shooting fish. So I am glad I had a gun. As some looting was happening and I have one of the nicest houses on the street. I rather take my chances being armed with a gun then going out and taking them on with a chopstick.

Some people frown on it. But at least I know I will have some chance if someone wanted to rob me.

Each to their own, but if it is robbing we are talking about, nothing in my house i would consider worthy of killing a person over. I'll take the anger of being robbed than the guilt of killing a father over a stereo, even if the father is a thieving bastard.

Sometimes i think driven on by the macho thing of protecting one's castle, people fail to think about what it is to have someone's life on their conscience. The fact that the life is that of a criminal, might not remove the feeling of guilt in the way you imagine it would.

You are assuming the thief is some kind of gentleman robber. He may not be satisfied with a stereo but want cash, and if you can't provide it instantly he may in frustration jam a knife into your neck. People have been killed in home style invasions here for peanuts.

Yes i appreciate there is that risk, but i think in the vast majority of cases of people being attacked, it results from people trying to defend their property. A natural and reasonable response, but one that can lead to problems like this. You are better of fleeing out the window, or locking yourself in the bathroom. But nobody wants to do that for fear of feeling like a coward. Back to the macho thing.

There are only two of us in our household, but I can envisage a house full of 5 or 6 people all trying to exit from windows a la keystone cops. There may be young children asleep when the thief makes his entrance, I think everybody fleeing via windows is best case scenario, but not likely or practical.

[BuckarooBanzai]

I believe there are some places people should not have guns. Thailand is one of them. Many reasons why I think this is the case but the most prominent is that generally, people here do not seem to control themselves very well when angry or under the influence of white whiskey or both.

I was an avid hunter back in the US and owned many guns. I miss plinking and target practice but the repercussions of having a gun readily available here does not seem worth the risk. If I had one it would be locked away so securely that I am sure that it would end up taking to long to get at it if needed. Even the machetes bother me a bit. Everyone and their Grandmother carries one.

The news here is all big city based and if you live out country you are not exposed to what takes place around you. After a lot of years here you learn that a lot of very bad things happen and are never brought to light. Behaving yourself and maintaining a low profile and smiling are your best protection - not a gun. (A low profile includes not wearing a lot of gold.)

[somtampet]

No different than st6oke,manchester,glasgow,but do we decide to have a gun ????????

[h90]

I believe there are some places people should not have guns. Thailand is one of them. Many reasons why I think this is the case but the most prominent is that generally, people here do not seem to control themselves very well when angry or under the influence of white whiskey or both.

I was an avid hunter back in the US and owned many guns. I miss plinking and target practice but the repercussions of having a gun readily available here does not seem worth the risk. If I had one it would be locked away so securely that I am sure that it would end up taking to long to get at it if needed. Even the machetes bother me a bit. Everyone and their Grandmother carries one.

The news here is all big city based and if you live out country you are not exposed to what takes place around you. After a lot of years here you learn that a lot of very bad things happen and are never brought to light. Behaving yourself and maintaining a low profile and smiling are your best protection - not a gun. (A low profile includes not wearing a lot of gold.)

From my staff, who are office people, half of the males have a gun in the car and that is Bangkok, I guess up or down the percentage is even higher.....

(Just recalling the Senator who took out the Uzi while eating)

[Shot]

I like the post about "layered security" fence - proximity lights - dogs - gun.

By the time any intruder gets through the first three I asume it's enough time to prepare the final security.

I like guns. But, in your case I would not have one.

The advice above is good minus the gun. Build a safe room. Something your family can get to if everything else fails. Something secure, and hidden, with the ability to sound an alarm and call for help. Something you could stay in for several hours even if it were found.

[rixalex]

There are only two of us in our household, but I can envisage a house full of 5 or 6 people all trying to exit from windows a la keystone cops. There may be young children asleep when the thief makes his entrance, I think everybody fleeing via windows is best case scenario, but not likely or practical.

If you want to talk about what is likely, a robber under no threat from their victim, is unlikely to start attacking them for the fun of it. They want what they can get, and they want to leave as soon as possible. I guess there are the drug addled idiots to think of, but you might just as soon bump into one of those in the street, and what are you going to do, start carrying the gun with you?

At the end of the day, if the risk is real enough to the point where you consider bringing a gun into your house, for me that means you are living in the wrong place, and moving is your best bet, especially if there are kids to think about. Now of course, nowhere on earth is completely safe, but there are places safer than others. Choose those safer places and if you are still unlucky enough to get hit, either flee or if you can't do that, just give the bastards whatever they want. You might still get killed but then again you might get struck by lightning or hit by a bus. Accept we can't protect ourselves from everything in life.

[giddyup]

There are only two of us in our household, but I can envisage a house full of 5 or 6 people all trying to exit from windows a la keystone cops. There may be young children asleep when the thief makes his entrance, I think everybody fleeing via windows is best case scenario, but not likely or practical.

If you want to talk about what is likely, a robber under no threat from their victim, is unlikely to start attacking them for the fun of it. They want what they can get, and they want to leave as soon as possible. I guess there are the drug addled idiots to think of, but you might just as soon bump into one of those in the street, and what are you going to do, start carrying the gun with you?

At the end of the day, if the risk is real enough to the point where you consider bringing a gun into your house, for me that means you are living in the wrong place, and moving is your best bet, especially if there are kids to think about. Now of course, nowhere on earth is completely safe, but there are places safer than others. Choose those safer places and if you are still unlucky enough to get hit, either flee or if you can't do that, just give the bastards whatever they want. You might still get killed but then again you might get struck by lightning or hit by a bus. Accept we can't protect ourselves from everything in life.

It's the drug addled idiots who are the most likely culprits, but I take your points.

[rixalex]

I like the post about "layered security" fence - proximity lights - dogs - gun.

By the time any intruder gets through the first three I asume it's enough time to prepare the final security.

I like guns. But, in your case I would not have one.

The advice above is good minus the gun. Build a safe room. Something your family can get to if everything else fails. Something secure, and hidden, with the ability to sound an alarm and call for help. Something you could stay in for several hours even if it were found.

Failing having a safe room, just have a decent lock on your bedroom door and keeping in your bedroom your mobile phone and your car keys with the remote would help. Usually the range on car remote is pretty good and even from your bedroom, if you hit the panic button it will probably work and help wake the neighbours. And with the phone of course you can call local police/friends/relatives.

[giddyup]

I like the post about "layered security" fence - proximity lights - dogs - gun.

By the time any intruder gets through the first three I asume it's enough time to prepare the final security.

I like guns. But, in your case I would not have one.

The advice above is good minus the gun. Build a safe room. Something your family can get to if everything else fails. Something secure, and hidden, with the ability to sound an alarm and call for help. Something you could stay in for several hours even if it were found.

Failing having a safe room, just have a decent lock on your bedroom door and keeping in your bedroom your mobile phone and your car keys with the remote would help. Usually the range on car remote is pretty good and even from your bedroom, if you hit the panic button it will probably work and help wake the neighbours. And with the phone of course you can call local police/friends/relatives.

That's great advice! We do lock the bedroom door at night but I never thought to take the car keys into the bedroom.

[Holysteel]

Join the Reds, u get a M79 free of charge.

[Shot]

I like the post about "layered security" fence - proximity lights - dogs - gun.

By the time any intruder gets through the first three I asume it's enough time to prepare the final security.

I like guns. But, in your case I would not have one.

The advice above is good minus the gun. Build a safe room. Something your family can get to if everything else fails. Something secure, and hidden, with the ability to sound an alarm and call for help. Something you could stay in for several hours even if it were found.

Failing having a safe room, just have a decent lock on your bedroom door and keeping in your bedroom your mobile phone and your car keys with the remote would help. Usually the range on car remote is pretty good and even from your bedroom, if you hit the panic button it will probably work and help wake the neighbours. And with the phone of course you can call local police/friends/relatives.

Very good point. You could outfit your bedroom with a steel door, and bolt lock. You can have one custom built (I have one on my back door) like mine for a few thousand Baht. A solid steel one for around 10K which is cheap safety.

[aussiebebe]

I'd just move. If I lived somewhere and felt the need to arm myself or keep attack dogs I'd feel like I'd already lost.